(Photo credit: Genevieve Roper)
I was delighted to attend last Friday’s Bexhill Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair at the De La Warr Pavilion. This was the event’s 10th year and showcased the strength and diversity of employment and training opportunities across our community.
I’m proud that my office plays an active role in the planning of this key local recruitment event alongside Bexhill College, Rother District Council and the De La Warr Pavilion team, who do such an excellent job of organising the logistics, supporting exhibitors and welcoming hundreds of visitors.
This event is community-led and not for profit which means we are entirely reliant on the generosity of our sponsors to make it happen. This year our sponsors were Bexhill College, Talent Accelerator, Connect to Work East Sussex, Greymoor Construction Ltd, Hastings Direct, Park Holidays UK, Ashdown Hurrey, Bexhill Chamber of Commerce, British Gypsum, East Sussex College Group, GreenBlue Urban and Home Instead.
With over 50 businesses and organisations in attendance, the fair was busy with visitors from when the doors opened at 10.30am right through to close at 3.30pm. I spent all day at the Jobs Fair talking to employers from a wide range of sectors, including financial services, technology, hospitality, healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, construction, education, and professional services. This breadth of representation highlights the broad variety of pathways available to locals seeking a new job, a change of career, or their first step onto the employment ladder.
It was good to meet new exhibitors such as Park Holidays UK, British Gypsum, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Services alongside previous participants including Hastings Direct, Greymoor Construction Ltd, Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and Govia Thameslink Railway. Their participation reflects the confidence these organisations continue to have in the talent and potential within our community, even as many navigate the pressures created by the Labour government’s recent national employment law and tax changes. Employers have highlighted that the rise in the National Minimum Wage has substantially increased payroll costs for local businesses already operating on tight margins. When added to Labour’s jobs tax - the increase in Employer National Insurance contributions, higher business rates and changes to employment law which reduce employment flexibility for many seasonal businesses, Labour’s measures have created a cumulative financial strain that many firms are finding increasingly difficult to absorb.
It is a tough employment market for job seekers at the moment, so I was really pleased that visitors to the Jobs Fair also benefited from a wide range of support services. Bexhill Chamber of Commerce volunteers spent all day doing free CV checks and there were workshops on practical job seeking guidance and skills development, as well as organisations providing exciting training opportunities. The Creative Industries Zone offered young people invaluable insight into entry level roles in one of the region’s growing sectors. A dedicated Quiet Time session in the afternoon ensured the event remained accessible and welcoming to anyone who preferred a calmer environment. This commitment to inclusivity is one of the reasons the fair continues to attract such strong community engagement year after year.
As the local economy continues to evolve, events like the Jobs & Apprenticeships Fair remain an essential bridge between employers and job seekers. It also creates a great networking opportunity for local businesses and organisations. Last Friday’s huge turnout and the enthusiasm from both businesses and residents reaffirm that Bexhill is steadily strengthening its position as a place where people can build meaningful and rewarding careers across a broad spectrum of sectors.